Virtual events – new possibilities or limitations?

The value of a face-to-face meeting will never fade, but new technologies and a rapidly developing world bring more and more innovative opportunities. You’ve probably had a chance to participate in a video conference, an online webinar, or simply joined a meeting of some kind via the Internet. These are all examples of virtual events. Read on to find out more.

Virtual events – table of contents:

1. What are virtual events?
2. Types of virtual events
3. Hybrid events, that is how to keep a balance
4. Why to organize virtual events?
5. Summary

What are virtual events?

Virtual events, online events, virtual conferences or live broadcasts – these are events where people interact in an online environment. This type of event does not require participants to be physically present, in fact, the only thing needed to take part in it is a device with access to the Internet.

Organizing and running virtual events require the same commitment and attention as the traditional form of events. It is just as important to develop an event strategy, promote it effectively, and involve participants as it is to create an unforgettable experience for them and make the event successful.

No matter where you are or what type of device you are using, you have the opportunity to interact via the Internet. This is what makes online events pave the way for new and huge benefits and opportunities for everyone – both participants and event organizers.

Technology is evolving rapidly, which contributes to the growing popularity of the Internet and the fact that both the Internet and technology are becoming more and more affordable. Everything is heading in one direction – the future of human interaction will increasingly focus on remote participation in virtual events.

Types of virtual events

When it comes to organizing virtual events, event hosts are only limited by their own imagination and the capabilities of today’s technology. Let’s take a closer look at the types of virtual events.

Virtual conferences

Just like traditional conferences, virtual ones are built around a specific live program. They allow you to watch speeches in real time and interact with other participants without leaving your home.Virtual events such as conferences are powerful marketing tools that can help increase your brand awareness, generate valuable leads, reduce the distance between your company and your customers, as well as strengthen your relationship with them. If you run an innovative company and want to increase customer engagement, or simply speed up the sales growth – it would be a good idea to start the process by organizing a virtual conference.

Webinars

With the growing popularity of remote work and temporary travel restrictions around the world, webinars have had the opportunity to attract wider audiences. Virtual events such as webinars give room for companies and organizations to share their knowledge and advice on specific topics with participants. They let them reach a larger group of people interested in a particular area and overcome barriers.

They can be organized by one person or a number of experts, and they don’t have to be limited to a monologue, and often take the form of a group discussion, a product demonstration or an open forum. They typically last from around a half an hour up to two hours.

Networking events

Virtual events in the form of networking events are mainly aimed at building business relationships and connecting companies with each other. Such meetings bring together companies from the same industry or region. Their participants are usually company owners, executives and other professionals.

Organizing networking events shows employees and event participants that the company cares about their professional relationships. Networking can be initiated, for example, on social networking sites, such as Facebook or LinkedIn, thanks to which all those interested in the industry can easily communicate with each other or even discuss the topics addressed in online meetings.

Hybrid events, that is how to keep a balance

Speaking of events, we often imagine stationary or online gatherings. In fact, nothing is black or white, and events also don’t have to be limited to one form only. Hybrid events, which are a mix of live and virtual events, are becoming more and more popular. With hybrid events, you can reach a greater number of people. Such an event can be easily tailored to the organizers’ and attendees’ needs as they offer greater flexibility.

Why to organize virtual events?

Many people are still skeptical about online events. After all, meeting face-to-face with other participants is the natural and most familiar form of such events. So why even consider other types of events?

Flexibility

With online events, you have complete freedom in terms of how they are transmitted. No matter what type of event you organize, you can reach people from all geographical locations.This is beneficial to both parties, both the organizer and the participants of the event.

Valuable information

Collecting information from attendees and getting feedback on the event in an online format is much easier than in the case of a traditional event. The online nature of virtual events provides a number of opportunities to track metrics that can help you improve it in the future and get a better idea of attendees’ interests. For example, during virtual events, you can easily count the number of participants, measure engagement metrics, and assess the effectiveness and profitability of the event.

Savings

Virtual events are a great solution for organizers with tight budgets. It is estimated that it is up to 75% cheaper to organize an online event than planning an event in a traditional form. This is due to considerable savings that can be made on venue rental, staffing, accommodation, catering, and travel expenses.

Summary

Nowadays, technology gives us more and more opportunities, both in personal lives and in business. Whether you run a company, are fascinated by a certain industry or topic, or are simply curious about the world and thirsty for new experiences – it is definitely worthwhile to be up to date and aware of as many alternatives as possible. Virtual events give you a lot of freedom and provide unlimited possibilities, which makes them one of the most fascinating innovations of modern technology.

Read also: Corporate event planning in 6 steps.

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